What originally drew you to the field of art therapy?
I was first drawn to Art Therapy when I was in high school. I was very interested in art and was really wanting to study art in college. I have always had a desire to help others. My high school art teacher was the first one to tell me about art therapy and I was very excited to find a way to use my love of art to help people!
Can you tell us about your academic journey?
I looked at several schools in terms of their art programs. I was offered an art scholarship and an academic scholarship to Doane College in Crete, Ne which is where my older sister had gone. While at Doane I became friends with another art major who was a couple of years older than me and also interested in art therapy. She had been able to taylor her program to meet entrance requirement to an art therapy program. I was able to use her plan to taylor my own program which combined an Art/Psychology major with 2 art education classes. When I graduated from that program I worked for a year in human services and then attended the Masters in Art Therapy Program at Emporia State University in Kansas. I was so fortunate to study under Bob Ault and Dr. Nancy Knapp.
Can you talk about the power of art therapy in your life and your work?
I truly believe that art allows us access to deep healing for ourselves and our clients. I love the way in which it allows us to experience memories and process emotions in a whole brain way. I find it to be a richer experience for clients when I use art with them. I have also used art extensively for processing my own life experiences, including the loss of my son.
From your point of view, what is the most important thing to keep in mind when working as an art therapist?
There are many important things to keep in mind when working as an art therapist but one that stands out to me is to be aware of the power of images. They can be incredibly healing when the timing is right but they can also be overwhelming and triggering if not handled with care and expertise.
What are some important self-care practices you recommend or practice?
I do my own artwork, both that which is process oriented and that which is just for fun. I do my best work with clients when I am actively attending to my own needs. I also practice yoga several times a week, I spend time in nature, paddleboarding, hiking, camping. Also, I believe that taking good care of yourself physically through what you eat and getting enough rest is vital to being healthy.
Are you working on anything now that you’re really excited about?
I am currently doing a Pregnancy After Loss group through a Non-profit called Return To Zero H.O.P.E. I also serve on their Clinical Advisory Board
How important is it to collaborate with your art therapy colleagues?
I find it very important to collaborate with other art therapists. I believe that we have a unique skill set that other therapists don’t always connect with. It can get easy to get pulled into doing more talk and less art when you don’t have the support and collaboration of other art therapists.
How have your professional collaborations benefited your career?
Times when I have collaborated with other art therapists have opened me up to different forms of art that I have used with my clients. I also just believe that we meet people for a reason and sometimes one project or venture with another person can lead to new opportunities and new ideas for both of you.
How would you like to see the field of art therapy evolve in the coming years?
I would like to see licensure and title protection for art therapists in all 50 states. I get super tired of someone stating that they do art therapy when they are not a trained art therapist. It discredits those of us who have worked very hard to get our ATR and BC. It also discredits and dilutes the field as a whole.
Is there anything you would like to see happen to support and expand the Colorado art therapy community?
I would love to see a more accessible way for those of us who are not from Denver or Boulder to be able to participate in events. It is next to impossible for me to drive from Fountain to get to Denver to a meeting at 5pm. I25 at 4pm, no thank you.
How is/can art therapy or art used for social justice?
I know some really great people who use art for social justice though creating public art etc. As a therapist, I struggle sometimes with figuring out how to support social justice without politicizing therapy. I want my client to feel as though their therapy is about them and not me and my politics. I think it has become trickier in the last few years to find a good balance with all of it.
Is there anything additional you would like to share about yourself or your experience as an art therapist?
I have my own business, Henry’s Heart Art Therapy that is named after my son who was still born. I work with those who have lost babies and those pregnant after a loss. I also work with grief, loss and trauma as well as being a professional studio artist.
